Hey all, brand new here. I picked up a '73 World Voyageur (23") from a member here, through NYC craigs, and did a 650B conversion (or 650B build rather, as it was just a frameset). The 650B served 2 purposes: (1) allow me to add fenders in the future, when I get around to it and (2) to drop the standover a tad. The member (some guy named Ben from NYC -- thanks again Ben) suggested I post it here. The pictures were quickies, but here it is. Below are details from the build. Some of the parts were used, others new. I have a front courier rack that I need to get around to installing one of these days as well. If I am violating any rules by posting this in the wrong location, my apologies.

Regards,
Chris

Sugino XD-600 crankset
Miscellaneous stem 0.833"
MKS lite touring pedals
Nitto moustache bars
Dia-compe non-aero levers
Dia-compe long reach 750 center pulls
Shimano 105 front deraileur
Shimano XT rear deraileur
Silver Dia-Compe bar end shifters
Wheelset (650b velocity synergy rims, Shimano 105 hubs, Panaracer Col De La Vie tires)
9 speed cassette (12 - 13 - 15 - 17 - 19 - 21 - 24 - 27 - 30)
Wrights saddle
Thompson 26.6 mm elite seat post

Nicely done!

Neal

Sweet build! Welcome to C&V!

Thank you Neal. I'm just getting back into cycling after several years off and several moves which caused me to, unfortunately, liquidate my biking gear.

Thanks to you too kpug.

Did that bike come with 27" or 700c rims from the factory.

It was 27" from the factory, from what I understand.

Cool.......I've got a set of wheels around here somewhere and I am pretty sure I have those same brakes somewhere. I think I'll have to try a mock up tonight.

I'll say it again. Great build!

What was the manufacturer? Panasonic or Giant. Looks like it could be a Japanese Schwinn with a different headbadge. Did you have to coldset the frame?

Stringbreaker -- I suppose I should have stated that in my original post. It was manufactured by Panasonic for Schwinn (the headbadge says "World", and the seat tube has a reference to being made by Panasonic in Japan for Schwinn).

Regarding spacing, I didn't really have to "cold set" per se. The rear spacing was 126 mm, and the 105 hub is 130 mm. All you have to do is pull the dropouts apart slightly while inserting the hub. If I went for a 135 mm hub, I would have had to cold set.

Wow it really looks great. Nice job. Can you tell any difference in the ride with the smaller diameter wheelset?

Thanks. I did not ride this particular frame set with anything but the 650B wheels, as I put it together from scratch. I don't think the diameter is that drastically different to be noticeable, but I can't supply a direct comparison. But, the tires are 35 mm, which makes me a lot more confident when not on pavement than I can recall than with my last ride, which was 700c / 25 mm if I remember correctly.

And, I've been running them at 45 psi or so. In short, while the ride is different, I think it is more an issue or tire size rather than diameter. The diffference is positive (in my opinion, anyway), as I haul a kid or two and some groceries around in a trailer not infrequently.

After looking at the shot of the rear tire they almost look like the old Schwinn Westwind tread pattern. Very cool

Stringbreaker - I wasn't familiar with the Westwind, but googled a picture of it, and it does appear to be similar. If you are interested in the tires, and would like a close-up photo of the tread, I can take one.

Just an observation. I had a flashback on my youth when I saw that pattern.

For future reference, standover after 650B build, with the Panaracer Col de la Vie tires, is 32-1/8".